Dallowgill had at least two Iron Age settlements and bronze axes were unearthed in the Laverton area during the late 19th century, giving proof of the presence of early settlers there also. These people found food and other requirements in their immediate surroundings in order to survive, and life was very much the same when a survey was made of the land between 1066 and 1086.

The area became part of the Honour of Kirkby Malzeard, held by the Mowbrays, who passed much of it on to the Abbott of Fountains Abbey. The monks were very industrious and people were encouraged to produce supplies for the monastery as well as their own needs. Gradually small businesses developed and by the mid 16th century each area had its own mill, blacksmiths, stonemasons, clogmakers, tailors and seamstresses, joiners, carpenters, wheelwrights, besom makers and many small cottage industries, e.g. spinning and weaving.

It wasn't until the late 19th Century that people from Dallowgill travelled to the villages often to buy goods. Perhaps there was then a wider choice of goods due to better and more regular transport between the towns and villages.

The last shop was at Greygreen Farm, Dallowgill, selling sweets, tobacco and cigararettes. This closed in the 1940s, as did a shoe repairing business at Laverton.

The school at Dallowgill was built in 1832, closed in 1970 and is now an outdoor pursuits centre. St. Peter's Church was built in 1842 and the Post Ofiice opened in 1908.

A central landmark for the area is the Greygarth Monument.

Dallowgill Moor became famous for its grouse shooting, with Kings of England and other royal visitors being the guests of the Marquis of Ripon, who was noted to be the best shot in England.

If you have any information or photos we can add to these pages please contact kirkbymalzeard@hotmail.com. We would like to add anecdotal history given by local residents, so if you have any interesting or amusing memories of life in this area please let us know!